"God's kingdom" Tagged Sermons
Some Things Never Change – Mark 10: 2-16
Some Things Never Change – Mark 10: 2-16 We are living in times of great changes. But God put us here now for a reason. When major change leads to major confusion, we are here to proclaim God’s everlasting word and truth. God gave us the great commandment to love God and neighbor as ourselves. This was true for our ancestors, it is true for ourselves, and it will be true for our grandchildren as well. Rev. Olaf Baumann, sermon,…
Who is Jesus?
Who is Jesus? – Matthew 16:13-17:13 Many things have happened between Jesus’ baptism by John, the Baptist and the scene we read about today; Jesus’ transfiguration. Transfiguration means a change in appearance, which is prone to be exalting, glorifying, or spiritual. In the church year, the Feast Day of Jesus’ Transfiguration stands at the end of the Season of Epiphany, Jesus’ baptism at the beginning. Both events feature God’s voice, proclaiming; This is my Son, the Beloved, with him I…
Challenging Thoughts
Challenging Thoughts – Hebrews 13:1-8 Some bible texts challenge the way we live, feel and think. These verses are not intended to shame and compel us, but they are words that help us open our eyes and ears and listen and see. These verses help us to not give into the mind numbing force of culture and ideology that calls us to close our eyes and ears and our hearts and minds, just so that we can hold on to…
We and They
We and They – Luke 10:25-37 We are all part of a group some other group calls “they”. And there is always someone who thinks that “they”, in this case that would be us, – that they – are out to get us. And most of the time nobody asks the most obvious question; Why? What nefarious reasons have they to go out and get us. Why? We should take a step back and realize that whatever “they” are supposedly doing…
Pentecost – and what it does to the guys with the big sticks.
Pentecost – and what it does to the guys with the big sticks. Jesus is dead and the apostles are in panic mode. They have barricaded the door because they are afraid that talking about God’s love and grace would anger the neighbours. Many neighbours, way back then as well as today like God to be as angry as they are. And because most neighbours don’t like to be told that they’re wrong, and because God will send you to hell…
Christian Love, – what does that even mean?
Christian Love, – what does that even mean? Jesus gave us a new commandment. To love each other. Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it. We know what love is, don’t we? The funny thing is that in general evil deeds are never done, because the perps consider themselves to be evil. NO, they think they are usually convinced they are acting out of love. Even Private Schicklgruber, – you might want to google that name, did what he did out of…
Doubt is the eternal twin of faith.
Doubt is the eternal twin of faith. Many People want to have prove for the existence of God, like in a science lab where peer reviewed numbers can quantify what we know about the physical universe. This is not gonna happen. Every theologian and philosopher who set out to prove the existence of God, proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that the exercise is futile. Faith cannot be proven, faith can only be experienced. Faith is about living it,…
Passion Sunday; Christ’s Death is an Act of Love
Passion Sunday; Christ’s Death is an Act of Love The Palm Sunday sermon is about the passion of Christ, his suffering and his dying, which resulted in his resurrection of Easter. As everything that God does, Jesus death is an act of love. Jesus descends to the dead as the Apostle’s Creed says, not to have a well-deserved day off until the resurrection, but to throw open the Gates of the underworld and to free all people from their graves…
Angry Old Man in the Sky
Angry Old Man in the Sky, – presumably with a white beard. Gone are the good old days when I could scare you with God’s wrath into doing what I say. (big pastor sigh) These were the good old days when God used to get really grumpy when you didn’t give him the right amount of attention, but instead danced around a golden calf. Today it’s all about Grace, which is a free gift; and God’s Love for you, which…
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve The story of the birth of the Son of God in the little town of Bethlehem. Every year again on Christmas Eve we listen to the story of the birth of Christ in the little town of Bethlehem. To liberate this story from the realm of folklore that somehow is part of the holiday and to make it truly meaningful, we have to embark on the journey that the ancient writers are offering us. We live in a…
Do not be afraid!!!
Do not be afraid!!! The church year comes to a close this Sunday as we celebrate Christ the King Sunday. Again we have completed another cycle in the life of the church. And my message for this day is simple. No matter what life throws at you, sickness, loss, catastrophes, IRS agents, or Zombie apocalypse, – Do Not Be Afraid! True peace and happiness is found in your relationship with God in Christ. That is why Christ is King.…
The US Military and the 10 Bridesmaids (5 bright & 5 foolish)
The US Military and the 10 Bridesmaids (5 bright & 5 foolish) It is Veterans day Sunday and we think about our military. We do that by reflecting on a story that seems to have very little to do with the military. 5 foolish bridesmaids don’t have their lamp oil ready when they are called to light the way of the bridegroom to the house of the bride. We have to be ready to take care of our soldiers like…